#vermilion bird

In doing a little more research, it looks as though Mulan will be getting a Fenghuang as her loyal companion. I’m totally fine with this change if that’s what happens. It would make complete sense from a cultural/mythological perspective since the Fenghuang represents the feminine aspect, while the Long(dragon) represented the male. Although when it comes to Mulan she pretty much encompassed both male and female aspects perfectly.

A little on the Fenghuang if you care to know. The Fenghuang is commonly conflated with the western Phoenix. Despite their superficial similarities, the Phoenix’s eastern cousin would more likely be the Vermillion Bird, not the Fenghuang (Although some sources use them interchangeably). The Fenghuang is more a heavenly beast, ruler of all birds, and represents the feminine aspect of Yin. Each part and color of their body symbolizes a different celestial body and virtue while the Vermillion Bird is one of the Four guardians of Chinese Cosmology according to Wu Xing it represents the fire-element, the direction south, and the season summer.

You can find statues of these beauties on Taoist and Buddhist temples throughout Asia.